Friday, March 30, 2001

Patriots sign Damon Huard

PFW: What does this do for the Patriots’ offense?

Buchsbaum: Huard gives the Patriots a better backup than John Friesz was because he’s a much more mobile and athletic quarterback. What he’s got to do is learn to get rid of the ball quicker and make quicker decisions with the ball. As a thrower, he’s about average to slightly above-average, and he has adequate to above-average arm strength.

Ed Ellis signed by San Diego

PFW: What implications does this signing have for the Chargers?

Buchsbaum: He’s a guy that’s been a tease. He’s got size. He’s got ability. But he’s never shown the competitiveness needed to be a solid NFL football player.

NFL bans bandanas, other headwear

One new rule that has come out of the owners’ meetings, unlikely to be popular with many players, is a ban on bandanas. NFL disciplinarian Gene Washington attempted to get the ban passed several years ago, and this time it passed 30-1 (Oakland was against). The league ruled bandanas violate the uniform code, but skullcaps are OK as long as they bear the team logo and colors. "Uniform code rules start at the shoes and did not cover the head," McKay said, "and we were getting more diverse head coverings. We tried to bring that in line with other parts of the code. Now it covers the entire uniform."

PFW: What is your take on this decision?

Buchsbaum: I think the fact that is being overlooked — and the NFL has not publicized it because they believe it wouldn’t be a good idea — is the reason they’re getting rid of this is because very often, the do-rags, the bandanas and the colors they were in, were associated with gangs. Quite frankly, the NFL has quite a few players who either were or are still members of those gangs. In no way do they want to be perceived as supporting the gangs or encouraging the gangs, or letting their players do likewise. I think that was the overriding issue in the decision to ban them, and if it is, you can understand why.

The Archives
2000 - 2001 Season